Ayuso organizes workshops in high schools on ETA's "present"
The goal of the training is for young people to grow up committed to "democracy and the rule of law."
MadridAlthough ETA has been dead for fourteen years, the Community of Madrid has begun offering workshops on ETA for students in the fourth year of compulsory secondary education and high school in 22 public schools. Under the name Past and present of ETA terrorism: the testimony of young people and organized by the General Directorate of Youth, their objective is for the new generations to learn about Spain's recent history and grow up committed to the values of "democracy, the rule of law, the delegitimization of terrorism, and respect for the victims," but without including in these workshops those who suffered violence from the GAL and others.
The organization overseeing this training is Ego Non, a pro-Spanish organization of Basque and Navarrese citizens that opposes tributes to members of the armed organization "in the face of the manipulation of history and institutional neglect." Presenting the workshops, which will be voluntary, was Teresa Beitia, one of the driving forces behind the Ego Non platform, who argued that "institutions cannot be allowed to achieve what they failed to achieve by killing." Beatriz Botella Mateu, who lost her uncle, a Civil Guard member, and her grandfather, a Supreme Court judge, in two attacks, participated in the first workshop, held at the Nueva Castilla school in Madrid. "The sacrifice of my grandfather and uncle has been for nothing. We only ask for memory, dignity, and justice. Terrorism not only destroys families, it leaves indelible marks on generations," she insisted.
During the presentation of the workshops, Ana Dávila, Regional Minister of Family, Youth, and Social Affairs, denounced the fact that some political parties "continue to glorify ETA" and emphasized that the victims are asking for "remembrance and respect," which is what "in many cases is not happening when they are exiled." Emilio Viciana, Regional Minister of Education, Science, and Universities, also attended the presentation and noted that "every citizen must understand the reality of their past in order to face the present and the future." Be that as it may, the Community of Madrid has no plans to hold any workshops on the Franco dictatorship, despite championing the need for youth to be committed to the values of "democracy and the rule of law."
